A roundabout second half does test the viewers patience, nevertheless the film is successful in giving jump scares through the effective atmospherics. The movie has a strong social undercurrent through the supernatural aspect. At times Obsession feels like watching Ram Gopal Varma’s prime particularly the classic thriller Kaun
Starcast: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette etc
Genre: Horror
Director, writer and editor: Curry Baker
Cinematographer: Taylor Clemons
Music: Rock Burwell
Producers: James Harris, Hayle Nichlo Johnson etc
Production Companies: Tea Shop Productions, Blum House Productions etc
Running time: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Ever since its release on May 29th Obsession has been breaking records right, light and center. Made on a shoestring budget the film has raked in both numbers and critical acclaim and deservedly so. Obsession is a different space of horror than the usual ghost stories that we encounter. It’s more psychological with a spilt personality. Obsession bears a striking resemblance to the best of RGV work, the likes of Kaun and Bhoot. Like those films here too the horror majorly comes from the solid background score and tension filled situations. Even Inde Navarette seems to be channeling her inner Urmilla Mathodkar from those movies. Keeping the comparisons aside Obsession genuinely succeeds in giving creeps while touching upon relationships
The story of Obsession starts with a nerdy and insecure music store clerk Bear (Michael Johnston). For a long time, Bear has been in love with Nikki (a solid Inde Navarette). But he isn’t able to confess given the introvert nature coupled with insecurity. Instead of directly confessing his love Bear breaks a mystical “One Wish Willow” to make Nikki fall in love with him. But this leads to disastrous sequences as Nikki goes from feisty to emotionally clingy. The final fate of Nikki and the relationship forms the core of Obession.
A strong aspect of Obsession is the significance of the title and the way Curry Baker justifies it. Obsession here isn’t just a random title chosen but represents the core theme. The emotionally clingy nature of Nikki like the terrifying portion of her behavior at a boy’s party is a solid example of this.
In the beginning portions Nikki talks about wanting to be a writer to Bear, she further mentions about writing a romantic story. But after the “One Wish Willow” episode the character takes a huge 360 degrees turn. From being independent Nikki goes into the territory of a psychopathic girlfriend. She even ends up killing Megan Lawless Sarah’s Harper in a fit of extreme possessivness.
The social commentary underneath all this about stripping a woman of her autonomy has come out in a solid manner. Bear may across as a good man in the beginning, but his inner patriarchy comes out clearly in the way he makes the wish.
What also works for Obsession is the technical department. Both the background score and the cinematography deserves a special mention. The scenes where Nikki’s personality goes through a major within seconds is majorly enhanced by the terrifying background score. Taylor Clemen’s cinematography too is in sync with the eerie atmospherics. The night shots especially make for a truly scary experience.
Obsession also benefits from two solid leads. Inde Naverrette goes from loving to scary without missing a single beat. She particularly shines in the portions of the alter ego taking over causing absolute carnage. By the end of Obsession, the viewers feel bad for her and think on how she is going to deal with the future emotional turmoil. Michael Johnston also stands his own especially in the scenes of regret and tension.
Coming to the flaws the second half suffers somewhat from roundabout storytelling. Some of the scenes feel jaded thanks to the repetitive scenarios. Also, a subplot of Nikki’s equation with her father needed more layering, it feels like an add on rather than something substantial.
Final word: Obsession is worth watching for fans of psychological horror with social commentary
